Dave Roberts Former MLB OF and current 1B Coach San Diego Padres-May 7th, 2012

Dave Roberts is a former OF who played 10 season with the Cleveland Indians (1999-2001), Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2004), Boston Red Sox (2004), San Diego Padres (2005-2006) and San Francisco Giants (2007-2008).  He was a leadoff hitter with great speed who greatest moment in baseball took place in game 4 of the 2004 AL Championship Series.  The Red Sox were down 3 games to 0 and were facing elimination from the playoffs.   Bill Mueller lead off the 9th with a walk off of Mariano Rivera.  Dave was brought in to pinch run for Mueller and promptly stole second base and then scored on a base hit to tie the game.  The Red Sox went on to win game 4 and came back and swept the Yankees and then the Cardinals to win their first World Series in 100 years.

I was able to chat with Dave before the game on Monday and I asked him who his favorite player was and why.  Dave had 2 players he really loved.  "Tony Gwynn and Ricky Henderson."  I asked him why he liked both and he said, "I grew up in the area and saw Tony play and Ricky Henderson because he was a small guy who was able to control and dominate the game with his speed."  I wasn't surprised hearing his answers because in many ways, Dave Roberts played like both of these men.  He was a line drive hitter with great speed who very rarely got thrown out trying to steal a base.


Thank you Dave for taking the time to chat with me.